April exhaled, steadying her stance.
Across from her, a dozen soldiers in black armor raised their rifles.
Their commander, a tall man with a cold gaze, gestured for them to hold fire.
"Let's see what she can do," he muttered.
April's heart pounded.
She could hear them—every shift of their boots, every finger tightening on a trigger.
Then—
One lunged at her.
April dodged effortlessly, twisting around his attack. The echoing effect painted a clear image in her mind.
She saw the next soldier coming and countered, her claws extending mid-motion.
Slash!
Armor tore, and the man stumbled back with a pained grunt, nursing his wounded side.
The others hesitated.
Jax, Saya, Dante, and Kai stood in the shadows, arms crossed, watching.
They weren't going to help. Not yet.
"She has to handle this," Jax murmured.
April clenched her fists. "Fine. I got this."
Three soldiers charged at once.
April dropped low, sweeping one off his feet before slashing at another's arm.
The third managed to grab her, but she twisted out of his grip, ramming her elbow into his ribs.
The fight was fast.
Brutal.
But she was winning.
She was stronger.
The commander sighed.
"Enough," he said, stepping forward.
April barely had a second to react before he was on her.
A blur of movement—
Wham!
Pain exploded through her side as he struck her. She skidded backward, gasping.
He was fast. Too fast.
April lunged, claws flashing—
Miss.
He sidestepped effortlessly, countering with a brutal kick to her ribs.
She hit the ground, coughing.
Saya, Jax, Kai & Dante tensed.
"Should we step in?" Kai murmured.
Jax's fists clenched.
April pushed herself up.
"Come on," she growled.
The commander smirked. "You've got fight. But it's not enough."
He moved again—faster than before.
Blow after blow landed, forcing April back.
Her mind screamed at her to react, but he was too skilled.
Another hit–
Another–
Her vision blurred.
Then–
"That's enough. Move in," seriously and calmly uttered Jax.
With those words Saya, Dante, and Kai finally moved.
Dante was first, blocking the commander's next strike with his bare hands.
The ground cracked beneath him from the impact.
"Tch," the commander muttered, stepping back as the others surrounded April.
The commander looked at them. Really looked.
Then he smirked.
"Your stronger than expected." He turned. "I'll need to inform the leader."
And just like that, he left.
April struggled to her feet, panting.
"Who… was that?" she asked.
Dante crossed his arms. "Just a mere commander."
April's breath hitched.
"Just a mere commander? You've got to be kidding me!"
Jax's expression darkened. "They have Gear users too. And now that they know about you, they'll come for us more than before."
April clenched her fists.
Ragnörak was a bigger threat than she had ever imagined.